Game 54: Rangers at Flyers

New York Rangers: 27-24-6, 60 points
Philadelphia Flyers: 30-18-5, 65 points

Steve Valiquette v. Martin Biron (not positive on Biron; it would make sense though)

After two days off after a back to back set against Atlanta and Washington, the Flyers will begin another back to back set with the Rangers today and Penguins tomorrow. The Flyers are looking for retribution today; they want to get back at the Rangers for their humiliating 4-0 defeat recently, and they want to get back on the winning side after an all-around poor game against Washington on Wednesday.

Martin Biron should get his second straight start today. He didn't play well against Washington, but he has a 1.84 GAA in three appearances vs. the Rangers this year. Niittymaki would then likely get the nod tomorrow.

One key for the Flyers this afternoon will be solving Steve Vezinaquette. He earned his first career shutout against them in their last meeting, and they obviously need to score more than 0 goals to get the win today. There's a reason this guy averages one win per NHL season. He's not that good. Stay patient, pepper him with shots and catch some breaks. He's beatable.

Right now, the Atlantic Division is extremely close. The Flyers and Penguins are currently tied at the top with 65 points, but the Flyers have one game in hand. Pittsburgh hosts LA today. The Devils check in at third with 64 points, but they've played one more game than Pittsburgh. The Rangers are back in the mix; they're 5-4-1 in their last 10, and they're only 5 points behind the PA teams. However, with four more games played than the Flyers, they're going to have a lot of ground to make up. The Islanders just seem to be out of it right now.

The Flyers need to try and win both games this weekend. You cannot let the Rangers get two points closer, even if you have four games in hand over them. The Penguins are pretty hot right now, and keep in mind, they still don't have their best player. With the Pens playing back to back this weekend too, you're not losing the game in hand over them, but the win tomorrow is critical to lead the division outright.

Bill Meltzer. Scratches.

Lasse Kukkonen
Scottie Upshall
Rory Fitzpatrick
Mike Rathje

Bill also posted some projected lines. Downie will join Hartnell on Briere's line, but I'm not sure that's going to work. Keeping Carter, Umberger and Knuble together is probably a good idea.